Zahra family to launch the Lisa Maria Foundation

The Lisa Maria Foundation, a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, is set to be launched in October with the over-arching objective to safeguard children and young people from harm.  

Founder members Tony Zahra and Winston J Zahra, father and uncle to Lisa Maria respectively, founded the NGO to help bring together the leaders of the various local institutions to devise and implement proactive strategies to secure a safe and happy environment within which children and young people can develop to their full potential.  

The foundation will focus its resources on three key areas, mainly the effective selection procedures of all personnel entrusted with the care of children and young people; the promotion of a code of behaviour that prescribes the appropriate boundaries between adults and young people; and raising awareness and educating children, parents and all persons working with children and young people on the safe use of social media. 

Lisa Maria, 15, was found dead on March 19 at the bottom of Dingli Cliffs. Erin Tanti, a 23-year-old supply teacher, is accused of murdering and assisting the teenager in a suicide.